Paratriathletes demonstrate international potential
24th March 2014British Triathlon has conducted another successful Paratriathlon Talent ID event this weekend in Loughborough. Twelve potential new paratriathletes demonstrated their talent and desire to join the world’s most successful paratriathlon squad.
Great Britain currently has six ITU world champions, making the squad the most successful in the world. However, with paratriathlon set to make its Paralympic debut in 2016, British Triathlon is committed to further professionalising its current squad and looking for new talent.
Testing involved all three triathlon disciplines as well as psychological analysis and being classified. Athletes will also compete in the forthcoming British Elite Duathlon championships in Corby this weekend (30 March, Rockingham Motor Racing Circuit).
British Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Performance Manager, Jonathon Riall commented: “This is the first time that we’ve managed to attract a good number of both male and female amputees, a category that we have previously struggled to find athletes for. There were a couple of high-level wheelchair racers as well.
“Our intention from this weekend is to build a definitive talent programme that feeds into the World-Class Performance squad and has its own programme of camps, support and coaching.”
He added: “Although there is a question mark over classification until the summer, we won’t stop trying to look for new talent. It may be the case that some people will be disappointed on some level, but if they are keen and want to compete then we want to spread the net wide and continue the search for future world and Paralympic champions.”
The Great Britain Paratriathlon squad took part in its first international training camp earlier this year.